Jazz Passages: Dave Valentin 1952-2017

The passing of legendary flautist, Dave Valentin, sent shock waves in the Jazz and Latin music communities. His sound was an indelible fixture in the burgeoning world of Jazz/Latin fusion and he had that uncanny ability to bring those two worlds together. I first heard Mr. Valentin's work on the seminal, dance floor Jazz classic "Land Of The Third Eye" and then of course his collaborations with the likes of Patti Austin, Angela Bofill, Noel Pointer, Nuyorican Soul and many more. He was the very first artist signed to what many people site as one of the leading labels in Contemporary Jazz, GRP Records. His sound was distinctive, soulful and unforgettable.